California Moves to Ban Plastic Carryout Bags

California lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 1053 and Assembly Bill 2236, which aim to ban plastic carryout bags in grocery and convenience stores, authored by Sen. Catherine Blakespear and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. These bills seek to close a loophole in the 2014 ban on single-use plastic bags that permitted thicker, supposedly reusable plastic bags, which have not been effectively reused or recycled, leading to a 47% increase in plastic waste since the original ban. Environmental advocates, including groups like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Ocean Conservancy, support the bills, citing the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on marine life and local waterways. The bills now require one final vote in their respective houses before being sent to Governor Gavin Newsom for approval. If signed, the new laws will come into effect in 2026.